Breaking News

Local News

New ownership sparks change in focus at The Maui News

The Maui News was purchased by the Maui Nui Media and Creativity Collaborative, a locally owned nonprofit organization, on Aug. 1. With this transition, we’ve received questions from the community about what the change in ownership means for The Maui News. Over the next few months, we are working on transferring the business and its many vendors to the local level. We are determining where we will buy newsprint and ink, updating technology and systems, and making sure the business is in a healthy place to kick off 2027. We are already working on improvements to community coverage, ...

Sweeping musical ‘Anastasia’ takes the stage Friday

The Maui Academy of Performing Arts will open its new season Friday at the Naylor Theatre with “Anastasia: The Musical,” which Variety praised as “an irresistible and sumptuous fairy tale” when it debuted on Broadway. “We wanted to open the season with something grand, something ...

Maui County extends real property tax deadline for parcels impacted by TS Lala

Property owners negatively impacted by Tropical Storm Lala may apply for a one-time extension of the fiscal year 2026-27 real property tax payment deadline through Sept. 20, Mayor Richard Bissen announced Wednesday. For those not impacted, the real property tax payment deadline is Aug. 20, 2026. To be approved, property owners need to submit a County of Maui Department of Finance Treasury Tax Division application that describes impacts and provides location and other details by Sept. 20. The department will defer payment, tax penalty and interest if approved. Details of deferral ...

Meeting to address Haiku speed tables

Maui County will hold a community meeting on speed tables in Haiku from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Aug. 26 at the Haiku Community Center, 137 Hana Highway. The meeting is part of the county’s ongoing review of traffic-calming measures in Haiku. The meeting will include presentations from the Department of Public Works, the state Department of Transportation and community advocate Gregg Blue. Representatives from both agencies will provide an overview of their respective processes for evaluating and implementing traffic-calming measures on roadways under their jurisdiction. A ...

State board rejects East Maui water auction

A state board has rejected a proposal to hold a public auction for a 30-year license to divert and use irrigation water from East Maui streams. The state Board of Land and Natural Resources voted unanimously against the proposal, which would have allowed for the diversion of up to 88 million gallons of water per day. Opponents said landowner Mahi Pono was the entity most likely to obtain the license. The board’s action also rejected its staff recommendation for a proposed separate water license for Maui County and authorization for the board chairperson to negotiate an agreement ...

DOH urges health precautions after Tropical Storm Lala

The Hawaii Department of Health is urging residents to watch for health risks associated with flooding, storm runoff, power outages and cleanup following Tropical Storm Lala. Brown water advisory A statewide brown water advisory remains in effect because of heavy rainfall and storm runoff. Residents should avoid brown or discolored coastal waters and streams, which may contain elevated levels of pollutants. The department recommends staying out of affected waters for 48 to 72 hours after rainfall has ended and the area has received full sunshine. Power outages and food safety Food ...